Taxonomy

Closely related to C. cinerea, with which often merged, and to C. blanfordi, C. eremica and C. acutirostris; until recently considered conspecific with C. dukhunensis (which see). Geographical variation slight and clinal—becoming paler and greyer to E, more rufous and streaked above to W—but greatly complicated by strong influence of wear, considerable individual variation and lack of natural boundaries; described ranges of listed taxa somewhat arbitrary. Races artemisiana, hermonensis and woltersi all intergrade in S Turkey; birds from Ukraine intermediate between nominate and longipennis, and those from Ural-Volga steppes, the Caucasus, E Iran and N Afghanistan between latter race and artemisiana. In addition, populations from E Altai and S Siberia have been separated as race orientalis and those from Inner Mongolia as puii, but differences from typical longipennis appear minor. Validity of race hungarica sometimes disputed, mainly on grounds that tiny population is apparently boosted by periodic influxes from elsewhere. Seven subspecies recognized.

Public comments

In Languedoc (Aude, Pyrénées-Oerientales), vineyards are important habitats for this species.

Near Avignon (southern Rhone valley), Calandrella brachydactyla was species pioneer with the Little ringed plover in the colonization of immense industrial embankment with a scattered vegetation. The density reached 20 pairs/ 10 ha. The species disappeared from the site with the densification of the plant cover.

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Scientific classification

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Alaudidae

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Recent molecular phylogeny of this family#R—the most comprehensive attempted to date—has recommended novel arrangements for several species and genera, including the resurrection of a number of abandoned genus-group names.